N.L. hasn’t buried a single unclaimed body since legislation change in January – CBC
27 bodies still in long-term storage
May 16, 2025
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador made a legislation change four months ago meant to tackle the growing number of unclaimed bodies being held in freezer units at the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s — but it has yet to bury a single person.
According to the amended legislation, which was filed on Dec. 24 and came into effect on Jan. 1, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) has the power to bury unclaimed remains after two weeks of searching for next of kin and then five days after the identity of the person is posted online on a dedicated website.
The website also has yet to launch.
Health authority spokesperson Mikaela Etchegary told CBC News in an email that work is still ongoing on the legislation and the website.
